Lula goes to Japan to expand agribusiness and open negotiations with Mercosur – Observer

The Brazilian president, Lula da Silva, will be in Japan, on a state visit, from March 24 to accelerate the opening of the market to Brazilian agribusiness and open commercial negotiations with Mercosur, sources from the government said.

“There is a political commitment to advance this subject” because “Brazil is a major producer of agribusiness products, very competitive, safe and responsible”he stressed this Friday at a press conference at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, the Secretary of Asia and the Pacific Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Paes Saboia.

On the trip, Lula da Silva, accompanied by his wife, Janja, will be received by Emperor Naruhito and will have work meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

In addition, during the state visit from March 24 to 27, a business forum will be held with the participation of about 500 entrepreneurs from the agribusiness, space, energy, logistics and steel industry sectors.

Another of the goals of the Brazilian government, according to ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia, alard by Japan’s possible interest in opening commercial negotiations with Mercosur, a block consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, being Bolivia on the way of adhesion.

The semiannual presidency of the bloc is currently in the hands of Argentina, which will be succeeded by Brazil in the second half of the year.

After Japan, Lula da Silva goes to the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi (March 27-29), also for a state visit, with the objective of reinforcing trade and political relations between the two countries.